First Academy's big inning bounces University Christian from 2A softball final

A fifth-inning explosion from Orlando First Academy ended the title hopes of University Christian, 8-2, in Wednesday night's Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A softball championship at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.

Alexis Zerquera's three-run homer punctuated a six-run inning for First Academy (23-6), blowing open a tight game and denying a UC squad hampered by four errors.

Two of UC's miscues came in the fifth, when two walks and two errors scored a run and loaded the bases. Camille Mackedon followed with a two-run double, setting the stage for Zerquera's blast.

For UC, a final-four qualifier in the last three postseasons, the title wait goes on.

One night after walking eight in the semifinal win over Oxbridge Academy, UC ace Sophia Kardatzke displayed sharper control with four walks this time, but it wasn't enough against the Royals' order. The sophomore pitcher struck out eight but allowed eight hits and eight runs, only three of them earned.

First Academy took the lead in the third inning with two outs, when Mackedon's single scored Mollie Duling.

Royals starter Hannah Harper largely frustrated the UC offense until the seventh, when Jaleigha Harris connected for a two-run homer. Before then, the Fighting Christians had missed several opportunities, loading the bases in the fourth and getting a pair of runners on in the fifth. Both times, they finished empty-handed.

For the second consecutive year, University Christian (19-9) finishes as FHSAA runner-up. The Fighting Christians lost the 2021 final to Canterbury.

UC is in line to return most of its starting lineup for 2023.

That includes pitcher Kardatzke, Florida's regular-season home run leader with 14, and key batters Harris, Macie Bourgholtzer and Kate Dell'Alba, each batting .340 or better on the year.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school softball: First Academy defeats University Christian in FHSAA final